A recent poster to the list have suggested that the large amount of
printing associated with individual computer use is a sign that we are
failing the technology and that one hopes that the next more computer
literate generation will do better.
I must disagree with both the notion and the sentiment. Technology is a
tool. Artisans never fail their tools except perhaps when they use the
wrong tool for the job. Think of using a hammer to put a screw into a
wall. However sometimes the tools fail the artisans.
The widespread use of printing is a byproduct of a weakness of our shared
IT environment. Until screens get much bigger and better and bifocals and
computer glasses become an artifact of our history I suspect that long
documents will be regularly printed out. I know for myself I would rather
not have a headache and suffer eyestrain in order to reduce printing
costs. When these issues are better addressed I have every confidence
that office printing will decline.
Dave Gaynon
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